The Coolest Thing Made in Florida is a bracket-style competition designed to spotlight the incredible products manufactured in the Sunshine State. This program aligns with the Florida Chamber’s goal of making Florida a Top 5 state in manufacturing by 2030.

Manufacturing fuels Florida’s economy, employing hundreds of thousands and driving innovation across industries like aerospace, healthcare, agriculture, and consumer goods.

This competition isn’t just about winning, it’s about recognizing the businesses that keep Florida’s economy strong. Join us in celebrating innovation, job creation, and the future of Florida manufacturing!

Manufacturing in Florida: Why It Matters

Florida Manufacturing by the Numbers:

Florida-Origin Exports:
$78.9 billion
Florida ranks #11
in U.S. manufacturing jobs – goal to reach Top 5 by 2030.
426,700
manufacturing jobs statewide.
Florida meeds
139,500
additional jobs to break into the Top 5 in U.S. manufacturing rankings.
Manufacturing accounts for
4.9% of all Florida jobs.
Average annual wage of manufacturing jobs: $81,973
(Increasing, $8,967 higher than state average)
Manufacturing success impacts multiple industries, with
every 10 manufacturing jobs creating 20 additional jobs
in sectors such as logistics, law, finance, and warehousing.
Florida ranks #1 in manufacturing job growth over the past decade, adding more than 90,000 jobs—more than any other state.

(Source: Florida Chamber’s Scorecard & Florida Trade & Logistics 2030 Study)

Trade & Logistics play a key role in Florida’s manufacturing success. Stay tuned for more insights from the Florida Chamber’s Scorecard!

The Florida Scorecard

Top two finalists will be recognized at the Florida Future Forum October 28, 2026
Trophy and Media Spotlight for Winner
Top two finalists are selected to be a site tour visit during the National Manufacturing Week Final Two Tour in October
Exclusive Made in Florida Digital Badge for All Participants

Every company that submits a product will receive a “Made in Florida” Manufacturing Digital Badge to display on their website, social media, and marketing materials.

FAQs

Have questions about the competition? Read our Frequently Asked Questions for details on nominations, voting, and rules.

Any Florida resident, business, or organization can nominate a product that is manufactured in Florida.

Products must be made in Florida. The manufacturer’s headquarters does not need to be in Florida. Products must be manufactured using a manufacturing process. For example, a restaurant that makes pizzas would not qualify, but a facility that mass produces frozen pizzas would.

Yes! Businesses are encouraged to self-nominate their own products.

No, participation is completely free.

All nominated companies will be contacted and must confirm their participation before being added to the voting round.

Yes, but only one product per company can move onto the Sweet Sixteen.

Voting is open to the public. A person may cast one vote per email address per day when voting is open. Once an email has been used to cast a vote, it cannot be used to cast another vote in the popular vote round or same bracket match-up until 24 hours has elapsed. Any attempt to circumvent the one vote per person per email address per day restriction by the use of internet bots or any other means to artificially increase vote totals is prohibited and may subject the nominee or contestant to disqualification.

No. Voting is limited to one vote per person per device per day. Attempts to bypass this limit, including using bots or other tactics to artificially increase votes are not permitted and may result in disqualification.

  • Trophy & Recognition at the Future of Florida Forum
  • Media Spotlight and statewide promotion
  • A Made in Florida Digital Badge for marketing & branding
  • Site Tour Visit during the National Manufacturing Week Final Two Tour in October

A social media toolkit will be available to help nominees promote their participation and encourage votes.

However, tying giveaways, prizes, or incentives to voting in order to influence results is not permitted.

A company with a winning product is prohibited from particiapting in the contest for one year. A winning product is indefefinitely prohibited from being nominated again.